by D. J. Manly
Reed suddenly realized Mark was there because he turned around and said, "Did you need something?"
"It's a little late, isn't it?" Mark asked him, perching on the bed.
"I didn't notice. Am I making too much noise?"
"No."
Reed put down the putty knife. "Did you want to change the color?"
Mark shrugged. He could have cared less right now about the color of the damn room. He didn't hesitate. The words just tumbled out of his mouth. "How could you have fucked Leo?"
He didn't flinch. That was his Reed. "It happened."
"You seduced him. He wouldn't have done that to me if--"
"He didn't do that to you, Mark. I'm not yours." He met his gaze.
Mark swallowed. "You might have told me."
"Why? So you could have overreacted?"
"He's in love with someone else, so you can't have him."
Reed turned his back.
Mark stood. "He came here from Europe with a broken heart. You were just rebound stuff."
"So it appears," he replied, his tone quipped.
"But then again," Mark added, "it's not like you won't recover. You can just pick out the next pretty boy in line. You didn't actually feel anything, did you, Reed?"
He turned around now, a smile cut into his jaw like a thin, cold line. "No, of course not, Mark. I'm Mr. Good Fuck. Leo actually called me that. I'm like a machine. Any feelings I might have had, you drained them out of me long ago."
Mark's hands trembled. "Don't. Don't say that."
"Any man I might care for...well...you take care of that for me. I don't have to feel, at least not for long. You want to fuck, Mark?" His eyes were intense, hard. "You want me to fuck you?"
Mark backed away, shook his head. "No."
"Come on, Mark." He began to unbutton his shirt. "Fuck me. That's what you want, what you've always wanted, and since I'm incapable of feeling, we'll just forget it in the morning."
"Reed!" Mark began to cry. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I..."
Reed took a few steps, his arms went around him, and he caressed his hair. Mark felt his lips touch his forehead. "It's okay. I'm sorry. Let me go, Mark. Please. Let me go so I can get out from behind this shadow, so I can stop being who you think I am."
Mark looked up at him. He touched his hair, kissed his mouth tenderly. "Okay, baby," he replied. "Okay."
Chapter 6
* * *
Leo had one hell of a hangover. He had a hard time opening his eyes and when he did, he saw some luggage sitting in the middle of the floor. He wasn't sure where he was at for a moment. He tried to move his head, and moaned.
"Hello, sunshine," Adrian said, appearing suddenly with coffee in hand.
Seeing Adrian jogged his memory. He remembered drinking with him last night. He must have fallen asleep. Leo took the coffee with a grateful nod. He drank some of the steaming brew, then found his voice. "You leaving for real?"
"No reason to stay."
"Did Mark come to see you last night?"
He shook his head. "I hate to tell you this, kid, but I saw Mark coming out of Reed's cabin at five this morning."
Mark spent the night with Reed? "Are you sure?"
"Yep. I was sitting on the porch. He didn't see me. He just stumbled out, all sleepy eyed and went back to the house."
"I don't get it."
"Don't even try." Adrian sighed. "All I know is, if Reed so much as crooked his little finger, Mark would go running. Anyway, I never stood a chance. And it's stupid, but can you give Mark my number?" He handed him a piece of paper. "He can reach me here if..." He trailed off. "Anyway, I got to go. Good luck, Leo. Be happy."
Leo got up off the sofa and gave Adrian a hug. "Mark is making a mistake letting you go."
"It would be nice if he knew that."
Leo came out on the porch and watched as Adrian got into his car. Just as he drove off, Reed came out of his cabin, dressed in shorts and running shoes, ready for his morning jog. He stopped dead when he saw Leo standing on Adrian's porch.
Leo muttered something under his breath, walked back into the cabin, and slammed the door. Reed and Mark spent the night together, after Reed told him he wanted Mark to move on. It was all bullshit. Reed was full of bullshit.
The door opened suddenly and Reed stood there, the sunlight in his hair. He placed a hand on the doorjamb. "What? You can't say good morning?" His voice was low, angry. "Did you have a good time with Adrian?"
Leo rubbed his temple.
Reed's eyes went to the bottle of whiskey and the glasses sitting on the coffee table.
"I don't need your bullshit this morning, Reed. I have a hangover. And you have some fucking nerve asking me that question."
"I believe the better expression is balls. I have some balls, and if I remember right, you seem to like my balls. Was he good, Leo?"
"Who? Was who good?"
He sneered. "Adrian."
"I didn't fuck Adrian, if that's what you think. And how was Mark? Was he as good as you remembered?"
His eyes widened a little.
"Yes, Adrian saw Mark come out of your cabin at dawn. Maybe you were playing checkers."
"Shit."
"Shit?"
He met Leo's gaze, came in, and closed the door.
"Stay the fuck away from me. You are Mr. Good Fuck. You don't give a shit about anything but getting your rocks off."
He lifted an eyebrow. "Okay, that's it. That's fucking it!" He seized Leo by the shoulders and pressed him against the wall.
Leo tried to fight him off, but Reed was bigger and stronger. He held him there, prone, unable to move, staring helplessly into those beautiful eyes.
"Look at me."
He was looking.
"Why in the hell did you stay with Adrian last night, and are you fucking going back to Pierre, or not?"
Leo's chest heaved. He felt his cock harden. Damn you, Reed. "You're a bully."
"Maybe so, but answer my question and I'll let you go."
"There were two questions." He tried to struggle out of his grasp. "Which one do you want me to answer first?"
Reed's mouth came close to his. His lips almost caressed his as he spoke. "Christ, Leo, don't torture me." He moaned. "Did you fuck Adrian or not?"
"Not," he said, closing his eyes and moving his mouth on his. "Not," he murmured. "Not."
Reed pressed his body against his.
It was Leo's turn to moan.
Reed released his arms, pulled his tank top over his head.
Leo moved his hands up his back, pressed him close, lowered his mouth onto his shoulder.
Reed undid Leo's shirt, unzipped his jeans, and fished out his cock. He squeezed it in his hand.
Leo whimpered. "Oh, God, yes."
It didn't matter if Reed had fucked Mark last night. It didn't matter who he fucked, as long as he fucked him right now. "Oh shit," Leo muttered, "take off those fucking shorts, they're driving me mad." He pawed at the nylon jogging shorts.
The shorts came down, and Leo took off his own jeans, clutching Reed's head as he did and kissing him deeply. Leo's hands moved over Reed's hard abs and then sank down to his cock as Leo went to his knees. He pressed his lips against his shaft, breathing in the musky maleness of Reed. Reed placed his hand in his hair as Leo began to suck his cock.
Leo felt Reed heave as his lips captured the head of his cock and he glanced up at him to see that his eyes were closed. He paused as Reed's chest heaved again. Tears ran in streams down his face. Leo released his cock.
"God, don't stop," Reed muttered. "Don't stop."
Leo started to get up, but Reed pressed him back down. "Suck it," he urged. "Go on."
Leo took his cock in hand again and into his mouth. He opened his mouth wider, his jaw aching as he brought Reed's cock to the base of his throat.
"Fuck!" Reed shouted, his fingers twisting in Leo's hair. "Yah...oh God...Fuck!"
Reed's come hit the back of Leo's throat. He swallowed, ca
me off of it, and watched with wonder as Reed stumbled back against the wall, his cock in his hand as it released its load.
Leo got to his feet, his eyes searching his face.
Reed's eyes were closed again. His face was damp with tears. Leo touched his face. "What is this?"
Reed opened his eyes, dragged Leo closer and joined his mouth with his, kissing him passionately.
Leo floated, he melted. He would have done anything at that moment. He handled Reed's penis, feeling it grow in his hand. He wanted him inside of him. "Lay down on the floor on your back," he told him.
Reed watched as Leo went over to the bureau and found lube and condoms that Adrian had left behind. Then he sank to the floor.
Leo joined him. He took a cushion off the sofa. "You're so hot," he whispered.
Reed smiled at him.
"Lay down, baby." Leo placed a cushion under his neck.
Leo knelt at his head. He lowered his cock to Reed's lips. Reed let Leo trail his cock across his mouth, then he gently licked around the tip, dipping it into the opening, already covered with come.
"You taste delicious," Reed told him.
"Eat it," Leo urged. "I want to fuck your beautiful face, Reed."
Reed opened his mouth and tipped his head back. Leo lowered his cock into the opening. Leo was so turned on. He'd never seen anything more erotic. Reed ate his shaft, pleasuring it with his tongue and lips, as one hand stroked his own erect cock.
Leo kept his eyes on Reed's cock as his own came close to the edge. "Let go," he urged. "I don't want to come yet." He leaned down and kissed Reed's mouth, tasting his own juices, and then moved around Reed's body. "Lift your knees, spread your legs. Keep stroking yourself like that. God, it's so hot," Leo breathed.
Reed let his free hand stray up to his own chest. He pinched one nipple, then the other.
Leo leaned over and licked both of them, not being able to resist nibbling on them, watching them stiffen deliciously. "Your body is so beautiful."
Reed smiled at him, licked his lips as Leo reached between his legs and found his entrance. He poked his finger in, earning a grunt from Reed, who kept stroking his cock slowly.
"Fuck me," Reed whispered, meeting his eyes. "Fuck me, Leo."
Leo swallowed. He spread some lube on his fingers, lifted Reed's feet onto his shoulders. His inserted another finger up inside of him, moving it in and out. "It's cold," he said, referring to the lube.
"Oh no," Reed shook his head. "I'm anything but cold. Fuck me deeper."
Leo moved his fingers deeper, found his prostate. The chords in Reed's neck strained as his head went back farther. "Yesssssssss," he hissed. "Leo, damn it, go."
Leo withdrew his fingers. He dragged Reed's ass closer, positioned his cock, and delved into him, past the first ring of muscles, so tight they strangled his shaft. "Oh God, you're so tight. Baby. Um...yeah." He pushed deeper still, and Reed thrashed under him.
"Am I hurting you?" He knew Reed didn't usually bottom, but it felt incredible being inside him.
"Fuck no!"
Leo laughed, sweat pouring into his eyes.
"Pound me, fuck me, do it, Leo. Do it."
He was all the way inside Reed, and Leo tried not to come but his cock pulsed. "Shit, damn, I'm so in love," he cried out, pumping back and forth as his entire body vibrated with release. A gush of warmth cascaded over him. He saw only Reed as Reed jerked himself to completion.
Leo tried to get his breath. His cock disconnected from Reed's body. He felt the separation acutely. He curled up into a fetal position on the rug and closed his eyes.
Suddenly, strong arms folded around him from behind. He felt the length of Reed's hard muscular body against his, and he sighed with pleasure.
After a few minutes, Leo turned around in his arms. He caressed Reed's cheek, studied the contours of his face. "I never know what you're thinking."
"You never care to ask."
Leo narrowed his eyes.
"You always assume you know, Leo. You said you loved me. Is that true?"
Leo broke away from his arms, sat up. "What? You want me to say that, so you can laugh at me?"
He sat up, too. "You already said it. You said it when you were inside me. And why in the hell would I laugh at you?" He turned his face around to look at him. "I'm confused."
"Well, me, too." Leo swallowed hard, his throat hurt. He held back the tears. "You spent the night with Mark."
"Yes." He sighed. "I did." He wrapped his arms around his knees, laid his dark head there. "But we didn't sleep together."
"But Adrian said he saw you."
"Maybe he saw me leave his cabin, Leo. But did he see me fuck him?"
"No. But why did Mark spend the night in your cabin?"
"We talked for a long time. We cried. And we came to an understanding. Mark fell asleep on the sofa."
"Is that true?"
"Leo, Christ, please, can you have some trust in me? And if you don't believe me then ask him yourself. Now, you. What were you doing with Adrian?"
"We got drunk. He's in love with Mark. I was consoling him. We didn't fuck either, we just talked."
"I believe you."
"Thank you." Leo felt ashamed. "I believe you, too."
"Thank you. And Pierre?"
"He's history. I told him yesterday it was over. I left a message on his phone."
Reed winced.
"What?"
"That's a little cold."
"He was married and he never told me."
Reed lay back, chuckling.
"What?" Leo demanded, searching his face.
"Nothing. It's just cold, that's all."
"Well, he hurt me badly. And now he's all apologetic. Once a cheat, always a cheat, I say."
"So, did you mean it?" Reed lay down on his back, looking at him.
"What?"
"That you're in love with me?"
"It was said in the heat of the moment, Reed. I--"
"Did you mean it, Leo?"
"I can't get burned again," he said softly. "I think you might...kill me." Tears tumbled from Leo's eyes.
"Last night," Reed said, "when Mark and I had our talk, I told him we were even."
"Even?"
"He said that I was just rebound, that sex with me meant nothing to you but a way to get over the pain from Pierre."
"But that's not true."
Reed sat up and placed a finger on Leo's lips. "I wanted to die. I couldn't bear to think that what we'd shared meant nothing to you, and all the time you were in my arms, you were thinking of another man. That's why I told him we were even. I love you, Leo. Haven't you guessed that by now?"
Leo's mouth opened. His heart pounded in his ribs. Reed took his finger away. He couldn't speak. He just sat there looking at him.
"I told Mark. He knows how I feel. And finally he accepted it. He knows he made a mistake with Adrian. He regrets letting him go. He agreed to let me go."
Leo clutched Reed around the neck. He held on tight, saying nothing. He had no words. Now he understood why there were tears on Reed's face.
"So, I have to ask you again," Reed whispered beside Leo's ear, "do you love me, Leo?"
Leo's face sank into his neck. "God, yes, yes, Reed." He lifted his head and his mouth searched hungrily for his. He pushed him back on the floor and devoured that beautiful mouth. "I love you, baby, with all my heart and soul. I'll love you forever."
Leo lowered his head on Reed's chest. "This is like a dream," he said, tightening his hold on Reed. "Why was I the last one to know?" He lifted his head, smiling a little, letting his hand move down between Reed's thighs.
"You didn't ask the magical question."
"Magical question," Leo echoed, laughing. "I'll give you a magical question," he threatened, moving on top of him and straddling Reed's hips.
Reed laughed. "I'm under siege, am I?"
"Damn right. Your cock is mine."
They were laughing, wrestling back and forth on the floor unt
il finally Leo impaled himself on Reed's cock, and the laughter died.
* * * *
Two hours later, Reed took a quick shower, pulled on the shorts that drove Leo wild, and left the cabin to go for his jog. Leo lay on the floor, his hand moving over the stained carpet. He guessed they'd have to change that, too. He smiled, closing his eyes, groaning when he heard his cell phone ringing. He got off the floor and went to answer it.
It was Felix. Leo was happy to hear his voice. "How are you? I was about to call you."
"I'm fine. And you, Leo? I've been worried. Pierre has been here asking about you? Did he reach you?"
"Yes. It's over."
"Good. He was no good, him."
"And Jacques?"
Felix chuckled. "Still sleeping."
Leo smiled, shook his head. "I thought it was over."
"Yeah."
"You really love him."
"Yes, the bastard."
Leo laughed again. "Can't beat love, Felix. It will win every time."
"And you have some sexy American now?"
"I have the love of my life," he replied, smiling. God, he meant that.
"Oh, Leo, fantastique. I told you love would find you again. Is he very beautiful?"
"Oh, yes. He's very, very beautiful."
"Good in bed?"
"Oui, oui, oui."
"Bring him to Paris."
"Maybe I will. Say hello to Jacques. I'll call you soon."
"Okay, bye."
Leo would have loved to wait for Reed to come back to the cabin. He would have loved to lick the sweat off his chest, soap his body in the shower, make love to every inch of him, but he needed to talk to Mark.
When he got to the house, Mark was in his room. Suitcases sat on the bed. Leo took a deep breath, and then knocked.
Mark looked around, gave him a faint smile. "Hey there, crazy boy."
"Mark, where are you going?"
"Reed and I discussed it last night. He's advancing me the money from what he thinks he'll get from the sale. If it's any more, he'll send me the difference later. It's time I made a move."
"Where are you going?" Leo swallowed.
"I'm going home to visit my folks for a bit. After that, I don't know. It's for the best, Leo. Don't look so sad." He came over and placed a hand on his shoulder.